'Component Skill: Agile Swift IV (from Agile Component, agility system-related modifications +50% when activated)'

'Work Status: Good, assembly precision—97%'

Fang Hong could see the panel, and so naturally, could Miss Fairy. "There's no problem with the design itself; it's still a matter of operability," she said without any mercy, causing his face to redden instantly. But then Tata looked up at him and asked, "Is there a problem?"

Fang Hong then nodded.

This contraption was hastily made, a necessary evil. But as long as he was careful with the controls, problems could be overcome; it just meant that the performance would be greatly reduced—in fact, he had already pushed this makeshift design to its limits.

For instance, after various components were removed, the α crystal's magic power output had a significant margin, so Fang Hong set a considerable output allowance for combat mode. This allowed the Walker to achieve a burst strength of up to 27 under full load, more than double his own—an admission that his natural attribute was rather disappointing by comparison.

Then he had also added an extra agile component to address the walker's high self-weight and cumbersome nature. The problem with agile components was that they required bearings, and wooden bearings were inefficient and extremely unreliable. For this reason, he made several sets for replacement.

Thinking of this, Fang Hong glanced again at the panel and shook his head reluctantly, saying, "The strength of the wooden structure is too weak; this durability and armor might as well be non-existent—I only pray that it doesn't fall apart on its own during battle."

"You've done quite well, Mr. Knight," Tata replied calmly, "Adapting to circumstances is also a mark of an alchemist's abilities. And Mr. Knight's assembly precision is very high, essentially perfecting the expression of all component attributes."

Being praised by Miss Fairy in her steady tone was indeed a delight.

Fang Hong couldn't help but touch his cheek—

Yet on this point, he was certainly not modest.

Assembly is also a technical skill, even one of the most important aspects of an alchemist's crafting process. Precision is key in assembly—a perfect calibration can truly manifest the sum of each component's attributes in the final product.

As for the error, the greater it is, the more the provided attributes are reduced by a percentage.

If you ask how bad it can get, that's hard to say. Fang Hong knew there was no bottom line; one of his most important experiences as an apprentice in Kapuka was watching many people turn a set of high-quality components into a pile of junk ready to fall apart at any moment.

Some of this process is reversible, but some is not. If you encounter an irreversible situation, it means all previous effort and money were wasted.

For this reason, it wasn't uncommon for senior alchemy craftsmen to beat their apprentices senseless.

In this world, there are no so-called human rights—

As for why Fang Hong was rarely beaten, he was one of the favorites among the master artisans in Kapuka.

And what followed was a solid foundation.

If there's anything Fang Hong is most confident about now—it's not the so-called talent that Miss Fairy and Miss Sicape repeatedly mentioned, but those foundational skills.

It was on the strength of these basic skills that he joined the Morning Dawn Star Adventure Group and gained everyone's recognition.

As Fang Hong reminisced about the past, he carefully placed the constructed Walker back on the ground. He had identified the main issue: without balance, it was difficult to recover stability due to a lack of control methods—a functionality that the Walker was supposed to have.

To put it simply, this Walker had the so-called 'natural attribute,' making it prone to tripping over flat ground.

So, Fang Hong began to appreciate the Walker's self-weight a bit more.

He then raised his hand and gave a downward gesture, commanding, "Maximum power, attack!"

The Walker lifted its feet and leaped forward, its blade glinting coldly, leaving a deep gash on the trunk of a nearby banyan, with white sap instantly oozing out.

Fang Hong measured with his hand—the cut was over twenty centimeters deep.

"The burst strength is very strong, basically on par with a third-level warrior," Tata assessed.

"From before, its speed in a swift state is also quite notable... almost, the standard of a second-level Wanderer," Fang Hong added self-deprecatingly, "I certainly can't catch up to it at full speed, not to mention its short-range maneuvering."

He suddenly fell silent.

This Walker's combat capabilities were roughly comparable to a Swordsman Invoker who had invested in both the agility and strength systems, probably with experience points between forty to fifty thousand, close to those of a standard third-level character, although the difference in protection might be quite significant.

But this wasn't a full-fledged Walker, was it?

At that moment, he suddenly understood why Combat Artisans were called Pseudo Dragon Knights or Lesser Dragon Riders. The profession was indeed held in high esteem in Eteliria for good reason.

"It's a pity this thing doesn't have a visual link crystal," Fang Hong instructed Walker to return to its alert state, then bent down and extended his hand, allowing Tata to sit in his palm, as he said, "This way, it can only be controlled within the line of sight."

"That's enough," Tata suddenly spoke up, "This is Mr. Knight's first independent design. As the first step taken by a Combat Artisan, you should give it a name."

The two returned to the campfire, and Fang Hong was slightly taken aback by her words.

He only then realized that from this moment on, he had truly become a Combat Artisan.

He couldn't help but look up. The moonlight bathed the forest, and not far away, a silver owl suddenly flapped its wings and flew silently into the darkness. Touched by the sight, Fang Hong responded, "Let's name it Sword Hong—"

Tata's emerald eyes were also looking in the direction of the deep forest.

She gently nodded.

"Sword Hong?"

The night gradually deepened.

Fang Hong leaned quietly against a massive oak tree, occasionally flipping through the pages in front of him—they contained complex designs of a Type-One Crystal. He yawned, turned his head—unbeknownst to him, Tata had already fallen asleep; she was leaning against him, her head resting on his thigh, deeply asleep, her thick eyelashes still flickering under the firelight.

Do Dragon Souls dream too?

Filled with curiosity, Fang Hong noticed faint sparks of light appearing around Miss Fairy as she replenished the magic power that roamed freely while she slept. He gently laid his left hand over her, covering her with his sleeve as if it were a warm blanket.

Miss Fairy pursed her lips, grabbed the edge of the 'blanket,' instinctively pulled it up, and turned over.

She seemed to be having a pleasant dream as her furrowed brow smoothed out.

Fang Hong turned back to look at the flickering campfire, feeling a touch of warmth in his heart. In the dark forest, mist was pouring out from the northern wilds, and the orange glow dispersed the chill and fog, like a solitary lantern in the wilderness.

Fluttering uncertainly.

But still bright.

...

Dawn in the mountains—

It began with the chirping and twittering of birds.

Fang Hong groggily opened his eyes, greeted by a verdant canopy of shadows, with sunlight filtering through the treetops in a mottled dance. Coincidentally, several Sword Hongs were on the branches above, tilting their heads as they observed him, seemingly unafraid of people; Fang Hong could even make out every feather on their white neck rings and complete black chest bands.

Fang Hong was momentarily stunned, then couldn't help but laugh.

Indeed, he was familiar with these shorebirds that call marshes and wetlands home.

When he was very young, the uncle and aunt who had raised him told him a story about how these birds, though small, are migratory and journey thousands of kilometers to embark on their life's journey, leaving footprints in most parts of the world.

That was also the origin of his name—

The only legacy his parents had left him.

"To be a person who doesn't hesitate to stand in place, brave and resolute...?" Fang Hong murmured to himself, "Would my uncle and aunt understand my choice...?" He saw the birds suddenly take flight, disappearing into the canopy above.

Then, Tata's small face appeared in his field of vision. Miss Fairy's eyes seemed to hold a tranquil lake, serene and profound, as she gazed at him.

"Someone is coming."

She declared.

Fang Hong immediately sat up, turned around, and just caught sight of the Sword Hongs flying in unison towards a certain direction in the forest.

...

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